Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Morningside University #1029 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Morningside University in the 59.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Morningside University #545 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Morningside University #1029 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Sioux City, IA, Morningside University enrolls roughly 1,163 undergraduates. Retention is 74.2% and the six-year graduation rate is 50.1%, reflecting solid student persistence through degree completion. Morningside University performs strongest on return on investment. Azimuth ranks Morningside University #545 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Morningside University in the 59.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This performance reflects the university's strength in business and related fields, which drive solid early-career outcomes for graduates entering regional and national job markets. Access and affordability represent the lower-ranked pillars in the composite. Morningside University sits in the 33.1 percentile for access and the 16.3 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. 33.9% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 23.5% are first-generation college students, reflecting a student body with meaningful financial need. Mobility outcomes sit in the 36.6 percentile, indicating that while graduates achieve solid earnings, the institution's reach into high-mobility career pathways remains more limited than at peer institutions with stronger national networks.
Morningside University's published cost of attendance is $52,577. Net price by income band reflects the institution's need-based aid structure: low-income families pay approximately $33,738, middle-income families pay around $19,124, and higher-income families pay approximately $41,981. Azimuth ranks Morningside University #1193 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Morningside University uses need-based financial aid to bridge the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. Families apply for aid using the FAFSA, and the institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. The aid structure is designed to make attendance more accessible across income levels, though the affordability rank reflects both the headline cost and the debt load graduates carry. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,028, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $14,032; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $61,955, median federal debt of $26,028 projects to a monthly payment of about $294 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Morningside University is a strong fit for students interested in Business and similar applied fields who want a private nonprofit university experience in Sioux City, IA. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $61,955, placing Morningside University in the 52.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Morningside University in the 59.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a meaningful share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 33.9% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 23.5% are first-generation — and delivers outcomes that place Morningside University in the 69.8 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions — a historical 10-year Scorecard measure. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 71.0% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors applied fields over research-oriented ones. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find the earnings trajectory and aid package among the strongest in the region.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Morningside University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
21 graduates
Agricultural and Food Products Processing
9 graduates
Biology, General
28 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
64 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
11 graduates
Morningside University's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's identity as a private liberal arts college with applied career focus. Business Administration is the largest program with 64 graduates annually, followed by Teacher Education, Biology, General, Nursing, and Subject-Specific Teacher Education.
Business represents 29% of degrees, making it the institution's primary focus, with Education accounting for 21% and Social Sciences at 4%. The strongest earnings outcomes cluster in applied business and professional fields.
Nursing graduates earn median earnings of $84,033 four years after enrollment, while Agricultural and Food Products Processing graduates earn $66,368 and Biology, General graduates earn $62,400. Business Administration and Subject-Specific Teacher Education round out the highest-earning programs with median earnings of $61,940 and $56,166 respectively.
These outcomes reflect direct-to-workforce pathways where graduates enter professional roles immediately after completion. The concentration in business and applied professional fields positions Morningside University as a career-oriented institution aligned with regional labor-market demand in the Midwest.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these dominant program families align with national wage trends and hiring patterns in business, healthcare, and professional services sectors.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Evansville Similar quality tier in Midwest (#28195 ranked) | IN | 78% | $53,770 | #28195 | Compare |
Reed College Similar quality tier (#28194 ranked) | OR | 25% | $62,927 | #28194 | Compare |
Clarke University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#28200 ranked) | IA | 72% | $55,396 | #28200 | Compare |
Pfeiffer University Similar quality tier (#28202 ranked) | NC | 96% | $51,562 | #28202 | Compare |
Oklahoma City University Similar quality tier (#28191 ranked) | OK | 77% | $54,655 | #28191 | Compare |
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Morningside University's published cost of attendance is $52,577. Net price by income band reflects the institution's need-based aid structure: low-income families pay approximately $33,738, middle-income families pay around $19,124, and higher-income families pay approximately $41,981.
Azimuth ranks Morningside University #1193 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Morningside University uses need-based financial aid to bridge the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. Families apply for aid using the FAFSA, and the institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs.
The aid structure is designed to make attendance more accessible across income levels, though the affordability rank reflects both the headline cost and the debt load graduates carry. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,028, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $14,032; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $61,955, median federal debt of $26,028 projects to a monthly payment of about $294 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Morningside University earn median 4-year earnings of $61,955, placing Morningside University in the 52.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Morningside University in the 59.3 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Morningside University #545 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Morningside University's concentration in business and professional fields.
Business Administration is the largest program with 64 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $61,940, performing at 0.9x the national benchmark for the field. The Teacher Education program graduates 29 students with median 4-year earnings of $50,717, and Biology, General delivers median 4-year earnings of $62,400 across 28 graduates.
These programs anchor Morningside University's return story, combining solid enrollment scale with earnings outcomes that support long-term financial stability for graduates.
